Reaction of the vascular system in the trachea of the rabbit exposed to fractionated irradiation with and without the addition of misonidazole

The authors have investigated the action of misonidazole on the subepithelial layer of the trachea of the rabbit and the changes seen after drug administration in combination with irradiation. Misonidazole can increase the vascular area in the subepithelial layer of the rabbit trachea. This phenomenon correlates with the development of an oedema in both the subepithelial area and in the ciliary cell layer. This was observed both when the drug was given alone and when it was combined with ionizing irradiation. Irradiation leads to no significant increase of the vascular area, but shows a dose-dependent oedema of the ciliary cell layer and the subepithelial area. (Auth.)